Beschreibung
Absolutely charming. With just a handful of keepers from new, this wonderful pre-war family saloon has evidently been both cherished and properly sorted by its 2 most recent owners (2016-2023), attending shows and road rallies across the Southern counties as well as providing the perfect wedding transport. An older restoration, the Sherborne runs and drives very sweetly and comes with a history file of notable work to include wire wheel refurbishment, replacement fuel tank and dynamo, as well as some sensible but discreet upgrades. An easy starter, these diminutive 6-light saloons make great first-time classics with excellent visibility, enough room for four and sufficient power for a Sunday afternoon outing.
Launched in April 1932, the Austin 10 was a compact family car slotting in between the tiny 7 and the larger 12; its size making it an immediate hit with the buying public and unsurprisingly it became the company`s best seller of the decade. Whilst conservative in design with pressed steel body on a ladder chassis, it`s 1125cc engine gave a creditable 21HP providing the car with a top speed of around 55MPH. With worm and wheel steering, half-elliptic sprung suspension and cable and rod brakes, there was nothing new here but it did everything expected of a small family saloon with contemporary road tests citing its ?well balance nature? and a ?quiet engine that is livelier than some Austins?. Within 12 months, the range had been expanded to include both 2 and 4-seater open tourers, a cabriolet and a van whilst a 1935 facelift saw the chrome radiator surround being replaced with a painted panel and improvements to gearbox (synchromesh now on 2nd), ignition and suspension components. In 1936, an all-new ?Airline? styled 6-light saloon joined the ranks, the Sherborne, offering increased rear passenger space and for the first time, front doors that opened rearwards - considered a real safety feature at the time. The motoring correspondent at The Times was impressed by its trustworthiness and simplicity, describing the car has having a ?steady plodding nature?. From 1937 onwards, a new streamlined body changed remarkably the look of the 10 and when semi-unitary construction started in May 1939, the car was completely restyled again by former Lancia-stylist Dick Burzi. Despite the onset of war, production of the 10 continued in large numbers only to be phased in 1947 in favour of the A40.
Our car dates from April 1936 and as such was one of the earliest built. We know very little of it`s history prior to 2014 when in the hands of its 3rd keeper, the Sherborne was enjoying life on the South coast near Helston in Cornwall. From there it moved to Needham Market near Ipswich and then again, just a few months later, to a village near Norwich. There it remained for 2 years before being acquired by a British classic car collector and enthusiast based near Andover. Whilst in his ownership, the car benefitted from various notable maintenance tasks including the refurbishment of the wire wheels and fitting of new tyres, a replacement of both fuel tank and dynamo, new part-exhaust system, brake overhaul, refurbish fuel pump and replace fuel lines, replacement of cylinder head core plugs, new ignition parts including coil, distributor cap and points and general servicing. Around £3500 invested over this period alone. On the button, the Sherborne was very much used and enjoyed taking part in the Daffodil Run to Christchurch in 2019, local shows and providing bridal transport at two weddings. Only consolidation of the collection reluctantly meant letting go of the car and when we initially acquired it in June, the Austin immediately sold to a local enthusiast seeking a pre-war saloon to fettle and continue showing. Over the summer months, it attended numerous events and shows all over Dorset whilst benefitted from some serious owner-servicing including a new set of plugs, replacement rear axle oil seal, replacement of top and bottom hoses, rebuilding of the starter motor, fitting of a batter isolator and most notably, a single SU carburettor conversion. It now starts very easily and runs sweeter than ever.
The Sherborne presents just as seen in the photographs. Evidently an older restoration, bodywork and paintwork are still very good with just a few age-related blemishes whilst the original chrome headlights and bumpers polish up well with just light pitting apparent. Wheels and tyres are unsurprisingly excellent. Originally a sliding head, the opening roof has been professionally sealed and fabric covered and is very tidy both in and out. The cabin is delightfully original with brown leather seating in good order apart from one or two small tears to the passenger and driver seat bases, excellent carpets and headlining and a recently replaced wooden dashboard with full set of working gauges. Turn the key, push the starter and the 4-pot fires up immediately. On the road, the gearbox is precise and with steady acceleration, the little car is pottering along at 40MPH in no time. It feels balanced, as the contemporary road tests commented, with good brakes and predictable manners. On a sunny October afternoon, I took it on a 10-mile run of the West Dorset Downs heading out towards Beaminster. Other than a few frustrated half-term holiday makers doing their best to get the Zafira past on every straight piece of road possible, I really enjoyed it. This is no sports car but at 87 years of age, it does remarkably well and will trundle along happily at 40-45MPH all day.
The Sherborne comes with a nice history file documenting all notable work with invoices since 2016, Austin 10 Drivers Club literature, a Spare Parts Catalogue, original Austin 10 Handbook and Service Manual, old MoT Certificates and a current V5C. The car is naturally both MoT and road-tax exempt.
A charming and properly sorted pre-war saloon ready to be enjoyed.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today.
